To alleviate the workforce shortage, many fast-food restaurants have offered new employees sign-on bonuses and higher wages, but these strategies have been largely ineffective.
But fast-food chains, like McDonald’s and Wendy’s, aren’t the only companies that have struggled to find employees. Robert Kelly, Vice President of Augusta Staffing Associates, said the workforce shortage won’t be resolved overnight.
The company, which hires employees for a variety of jobs, including those in the clerical, medical, and industrial fields, was one of nearly 20 local small businesses that participated in an expo as part of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet, Thursday evening.
“We’re probably going to have this well into next year,” said Kelly.
He said developing a strong company culture often yields much better results than offering financial incentives.
“Culture will be the No.1 recruiting tool,” Kelly said.
Lane Keen, the owner of Keen Signs & Graphics located in downtown Augusta, said finding employees hasn’t been a struggle for him, but there’s a good reason for that.
“We haven’t had a lot of turnovers,” said Keen, who has 11 full-time and two part-time employees.
While he hasn’t struggled, other business owners, like Gary Gibson, owner of Gary’s Hamburger’s, haven’t been so fortunate. A few years back, Gibson had locations in Johnston, West Augusta, Evans, Martinez, and North Augusta. The Martinez and flagship North Augusta store are all that are open.
ABD previously ran a story about Gibson and his struggles to attract workers. He said he’s been forced to close his restaurant locations early due to a lack of employees. Gibson didn’t participate in the small business expo.
Gibson had planned to open another location on Wrightsboro Road, but he changed his mind when he couldn’t find enough employees. Goolsby’s is now opening a second location in that building.
Gibson said he has tried advertising jobs on Indeed and holding open interviews, but these strategies have been fruitless. Offering sign-on bonuses is one strategy he refuses to try.
“Anyone looking for a sign-on bonus will be the first one to leave you,” Gibson said.
